Fluid control valve



| H. GARDNER FLUID CONTROL VALVE Filed March 50, 1948 mmvrox. Lgwazuc: H. GARDNER Patented Aug. 12, 1952 aren't OFFICE FLUID. CONTROL VALVE Lawrence H, Gardner, LakeworidLDhio 7 Application April 30, 1948, Serial No. 2.4.129

6 Claims. (01. 2 517, 3

This invention relates to valves for controlling the flow of fluid to and from devices such as working cylinders. which areadapted to app force for doing work in connectionwith th OD" eration of various kinds of mechanical and other apparatus.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive valve which can be mechanically or otherwise operated, and which can be set up with the apparatus with which it is to be employed without the necessity for precision measurements which ordinarly are involved in locating such devices with respect to. the timing or actuating mechanism employed therewith.

Other and further objects of the invention will be apparentby reference to the accompanying drawings of which there is one sheet, which, by way of illustration? shows :a preferred embodiment and the principles thereof and what Inow consider to be the'best mode inwhich I have contemplated applying these principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles maybe used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present inventionand the purview of the appended claims. I also contemplate that ofthe several diiferentfeatures of my invention, certain ones thereof maybe advantageously m y in some applications separate and apart from the remainder of the features. i a i 1 In the drawings: I i

Fig. 1 is, a longitudinal sectional view of a fluid provided.

respectivelyto a fluid pressure source or pump, not shown, to exhaust, and to a fluid pressure actuated device or workingcylinder. These ports may beyso, connected by suitable conduits or pipes, not shown, which may be secured in the threaded openings with which the ports referred to are The fluid pressure source or pump and the working cylinder form no part of the present invention and therefore are not illustrated, these devices or types of apparatus being mentioned merely for the purpose of illustrating certain possible uses for the control valve. Notwithstanding such illustration; however, it is apparent that the vaive may be employed with any apparatus where it is desirable to control the flow of a working fluid from one device: to another.

The'port llalso may be connected to the atmosphere or other suitable exhaust by a; conduit or pipe connected to the threaded opening form ing apart of the port-or the portmay be allowed to discharge directly to, the atmosphere or other suitable exhaust.

One end of the body it is provided with a suit-.- able securing flange i9 bywhich the valve may be secured to the apparatus with which it may be employed. :At-thefend of-thebody II and at one side of the-flange i9 is a flanged collar in- I dicated at 2! in which is slidabl y disposed an accontrol valve embracing the principles of the invention a's-such valve is setup to beoperated by a cam actuated timingmechanism by which the valve is actuated? f Fig. 2 is a view 'similar to Fig. :1; except that the mechanism is shown in a different operative position; I Fig. 3 is an enlarged crosssectionalview taken through the valve illustrated by'Figs. Land 2, substantially as the" valve structure would appear in the plane of line 3?;3 onFig. l.- 1

Referring more particularly 'to the structure illustratedby the drawingythe numeral In in dicates generally asfluid control valve comprising a casing or body ll having a transversepassageway or chamber formed therein which consists of cylindrical inlet and exhaust chambers I2 and [3 respectively, which are connected by an intermediate chamber indicated at M; The three chambers referred to are provided with ports It, l1, and I8 respectively which are formed in the body II and which are adaptedtorbc'connected tuating member 22. The collar-2| is secured to the flange iii in such position that-the actuating member 22 will be concentrically disposed relative to the, cylindrical exhaust chamber l3.

Ifhe outer end of the'collarti and the actuate ing member 22 are providedwith slots formed longitudinally therein in which-a roller or cam follower 23 ;is rotatably mounted within the actuating member-22 upon a pin 2s. The periphery of the follower or -roller 23 is adapted to roll upon the surface of an actuating or timing device 26. The surface of the timing-device 26 against which, the follower'fi is adapted to becontinuously operated'is provided with one or-more cams or projections 21 which are adapted to move the follower 23 with respect to the bodyl I.

The end of the actuating member 22 inwardly of-jthe flange collar 2! is .an integral part of a valve piston 23 which is adapted to-be reciprocabiy mounted in the cylindrical interior surface or" a sleeve member 25. The sleeve member '29 in turn is reciprocably mounted in the interior cylindrical surface of the exhaust chamber It. The end of the sleeve 23 adjacent the intermediate chamber i 4 is reduced in such manner as to provide .a cylindrical guide? [which is adapted The annular shoulder 35 at the end of the guide 3| provides a surface affected by the fluid pressure within the intermediate chamber l4, thereby tending to move the sleeve 29 away from the intermediate chamber l4. 4

The reduced end or guide 3| which is formed as an extension of the sleeve 29 provides in-- ternally of the sleeve 29 an annular valve seat 33 which is adapted to be engaged by the adjacent end of the valve piston 28 when the piston is moved by the roller 23. The adjacent end of the piston 28 referred to is provided with a suitable rubber ring or gasket 34 which is adapted to engage the seat 33 to provide an exhaust valve 36 which prevents the flow of fluid between the intermediate chamber l4 and the exhaust chamber l3 when the valve engages the seat 33.

The guide 3| also provides an annular shoulder indicated at 31 which is formed on the exterior surface of the sleeve 29, and which is disposed oppositely with respect to a shoulder 38 formed by the annular surface of the body H which connects the intermediate chamber l4 and the exhaust chamber I3.

The space between the shoulders 31 and 38 and the sleeve 29 and thebody II respectively, provides an annular chamber indicated at 39 which is formed exteriorly of the sleeve 29 and between the intermediate and exhaust chambers l4 and I3 respectively. a

The exhaust port I1 is provided with an annular extension indicated at 4| which is formed in the body around the exterior surface of the sleeve 29 at the end thereof adjacent the chamber 39. Immediatelyadjacent the seat 33, the sleeve 29 is provided with a plurality of radially disposed openings 42 adapted to provide communication between the interiorof the sleeve 29 and the exhaust port '|1. "Such communication is provided through the exhaust port extension 4 The valve 39 which forms a part of the valve piston 28 is connected by a rod 43 to an inlet valve 44 whichis located within the inlet cham ber l2. 'The rod 43 is'secured in any suitable manner at the opposite ends thereof within the valves 35 and 44 and extends between the two concentrically with respect to the guide 3| and theintermediate chamber |4. Between the inlet chamber l2 and the intermediate chamber I4, there isprovided an annular seat 46 with which a rubber ring 45 secured'in the adjacent end of the valve 44-is adapted to engage for the purpose of preventing the flow of fluid between the inlet chamber I2 and the intermediate chamber l4 when the valve 44 engages the seat 46.

The oppositeend of the inlet valve 44 is provided withv a cylindrical projection or extension indicated at 41 which is adapted to be slidably disposed within a cylindrical opening 48 formed in a cap 49 which is threaded within the end of the inlet chamber I2 and forms a part of the body Between the cap 49 and the body N there is disposed an annular gasket adapted to prevent leakage of fluid from the inlet chamber 2. A spring 52 ismounted in the cylindrical opening 48 between the end of the cap 49 and a recessed end of the extension 41 of the inlet valve 44. The spring 52 tends to urge the inlet valve 44 against its seat 46.

The inlet valve 44 being connected to the exhaust valve 36 by the rod 43, it will be apparent that the spring 52 also tends to hold the valve 36 in open relation to its seat 33. The length of the valve 3|} including the valve piston 28 is such that when the exhaust valve 36 is in open position with respect to its seat 33, the opposite end of the piston 28 and the sleeve 29 will engage the flange portion of the flanged collar 2|. Also, when the valve piston 28 and the sleeve 29 is in engagement with the collar 2|, the shoulder 31 is in such position with respect to the extension 4| of the exhaust port I! that the chamber 39 is in open communication with the exhaust port l1. This is due to the fact that in such position the shoulder 31 moves slightly beyond the adjacent edge of the extension 4| of the exhaust port |1.

With the valve piston 28. and the sleeve 29 in such position, it will be apparent that the port |8 will be in open communication with the port |1 through the intermediate chamber l4, the interior of the sleeve 29, the openings 42 and the exhaust portextension 4|. Due to the fact that the chamber 39 is in open communication with the exhaust port |1 when the valve piston 29 and the sleeve 29 are in the position referred to, it will be apparent that the fluid pressure in the chamber 39 will be approximately the same as the fluid pressure in the annular extension 4| of the exhaust port l1.

However, upon movement of the actuating device28, the cam 21 will engage the follower 23 andthe throw of the cam 21 is such that the valve piston 28 will be moved until the valve 36 engages the'seat 33. Such engagement of the valve 36 and the seat 33 will close the previously established communication between the working port l8 and the exhaust port |1 through the intermediate chamber l4 and the openings 42'. In order to establish a proper fluid-tight sealing relation between the valve 36 and its seat 33, the throw of the cam 21 also is designed in such manner that the valve 36 will move the sleeve 29, when'the valve 36 engages the seat 33, a sufficient amount to completely cut off the communication previously referred to as being established between the chamber 39 and the extension 4| of the exhaust port |1.

So long as the throw of the cam 21 is great enough to out off the communication between the chamber 39 and the exhaust port |1 referred to, it does not matter particularly how much farther thannecessary the valve 36 may move the sleeve 29 against the fluid pressure affecting the annular shoulder 31. The chamber 39 therefore provides a compression or pneumatic chamber resisting the movement of the sleeve 29 in one direction. The only possible result 'of any such excess movement will be that fluid which may betrapped in the chamber 39 will be compressed to some extent so that it may escape into the exhaust port |1 through a suitable clearance (not shown) which may be provided between the sleeve 29 and the cylindrical wall of chamber 39. Therefore, it is desirable for installation purposes to design the cam 21 in such manner that the valve 38 will move the sleeve 29 a considerable distance after the engagament of the valve 36 with its seat 33. An example of such considerable distance is illustrated in Fig.

epoeyso 2. It is apparent that the chamber i ws has been reduced by about one-half its length afterth-e exhaust port 1'] has been cut off upon the engagementoi the-valve 3-5 with the seat as. j

. Due to the fact that the inlet valve M connected to the exhaust valve 36 by the rod' ld, it will be apparent that the inlet valve i l will commence its opening movement as soon as the valve di'commences to move toward its seat 33. When the valve 36 is completely seated upon its seat 33 the valve 44 will be in open position with respect to its seat 46 thereby establishing open communication between the inlet port it and the world ing port I 8. Such closing movements of the valve 36 and opening movement of the valve t l will be opposed by the spring 52.

However, when the roller or follower-23 has moved beyond the cam 21 the spring 52 will again closethe inletvalve M'and open the exhaust valve 35 thereby closing communication between the inlet port [5 and the working port la and reestablishing communication between the working port I3 and the exhaust port ll, At the same time-the fluid affecting the annular shoulder '35 will move the sleeve 29 until communication is re-established between the chamber 38 and the exhaust port l1.

While I have illustrated and describeda preferred embodiment of my invention, it is understood that this is capable of modification, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations'as fall within the purview of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A fluid pressure control valve comprising a valve body having fluid inlet and exhaust chambers and an intermediate chamber connecting said inlet and exhaust chambers formed interiorly thereof, said chambers having ports adapted for connecting said chambers respectively to'a, fluid pressure source, to atmosphere, and to a fluid pressure actuated device, a cylindrical sleeve disposed in said exhaust chamber, said sleeve being slidably disposed for movement in said exhaust chamber transversely with respect to said'cxhaust port; said sleeve being provided with an opening formed therein for providing communication between the interior of said sleeve and said exhaust port, said sleeve being formed to provide an annular seat between saidopening and said intermediate chamber, an exhaust valve disposed within said sleeve for engagement with said seat, said exhaust valve being formed to provide a cylindrical piston, said piston being slidably mounted within said sleeve for transverse movement therein with respect to said opening, said valve body having a shoulder cooperable with an oppositely disposed shoulder on said sleeve to form a compression chamber for resiliently opposing the movement of said sleeve by said exhaust valve in response-to the engagement of said seat by said exhaust valve, means for moving said exhaust valve into engagement with said seat and for further moving said sleeve by said exhaust valve against said compression chamber for resiliently opposing the movement of said exhaust valve and said sleeve beyond said position of engagement between said exhaust valve and seat, and an inlet valve disposed within said inlet chamber for controlling the flow of fluid between said inlet chamber and said intermediate chamber, and means rigidly connecting said inlet valve and said exhaust valve for operating either said exhaust port, said sleeve being provided with an opening formed therein for providing "communication between the interior of. said-sleeve and said exhaustport, said sleeve being formed to provide a seat interiorly of said sleeve between said opening and said intermediate chamber, an exhaust valve disposed within said sleeve for engagement with said seat, said exhaust valve being formed to provide a piston slidably mounted within said sleeve for transverse movement therein with respect to said opening, said sleeve and said valve bodyalso being formed to provide a compression chamber during engagement of said seat by said exhaustvalvefor resiliently opposing the movement of said sleeve by said exhaust valve in response to the engagement of said seat by said exhaust valve, means for moving said exhaust valve into engagement with said seat and for furthermoving said sleeve by said exhaust valve within said compression chamber for resiliently opposing the movement of said exhaust valve and said sleeve, and an inlet valve disposed within said inlet chamber forzzcontrol lingthe flow of fluid between said .inlet chamber-and said intermediate'chamber.

3. A fluid pressure controlrvalve comprising a valve body having a pair'of chambers and an intermediate chamber connecting said pair of chambers formed interiorly thereof, said chambers having ports adapted for connecting said chambers-to a fluid pressure source and a fluid pressure actuated device and to atmosphere, a member associated with one of said pair of chambers, said member being movable transversely with respect to the port associated with said one chamber, said member being. provided with'an opening therein for: providing communication between said intermediatelchamber: and said one port, said member being formed toiprovide a seat between said opening and .said 1. intermediate chamber, a valve piston associated with said member for engagement with said seat, said valve piston being mounted for transverse movement with respect to said opening, said member also being formed to provide a shoulder disposed oppositely relative to said seat and cooperable with said valve body to form a compression chamber therebetween for resiliently opposing the movement of said member by said valve piston in response to the engagement of said seat by said valve piston, means for moving said valve piston into engagement with said seat and for further moving said member in response to said movement of said valve piston, said compression chamber resiliently opposing the movement of said valve piston and said member beyond the position of engagement between said valve piston and seat.

4. A fluid pressure control valve comprising a valve body having a pair of chambers formed interiorly thereof, said valve body having ports adapted for connecting said valve body in a fluid pressure source, and a fluid pressure device, a valve member associated withpne of said chambers for controlling the flow of fluid through said one chamber between the other of said chambers and the port associated with said one chamber, said valve member having a seat member movably supported by saidbody, said seat member being movable by said valve member upon the closing by said valve member of said communication between said one port and said other chamber, said body and seat member being formed to provide piston and cylinder means resiliently opposing said movement of said seat member by said valve member, and means for moving said valve member into engagement with said seat member and for further moving said seat member by said valve member against said resilient piston and cylinder means. 7

5. A fluid pressure control valve comprising a valve body having a chamber formed interiorly thereof, said valve body having ports adapted for operatively connecting said valve body in a fluid pressure system, a cylindrical sleeve disposedin said chamber, said sleeve being slidably disposed for movement in said chamber transversely with respect to one of said ports, said sleeve being pro-' vided with a plurality of radially disposed openings formed therein for providing communication between the interior of said sleeve and said one port, said body being formed to provide an annular extension of said one port about said sleeve in opposite relation to said openings, said sleeve being formed to provide an annular seat between said openings and the other of said ports, a valve member disposed within said sleeve for engagement with said seat, said valve member being formed to provide a cylindrical piston, said piston being slidably mounted within said sleeve for transverse movement therein with respect to said openings, said sleeve and said body also being formed to provide oppositely disposed annular shoulders for movement relative to one another in response to the movement of said sleeve, and means for moving said valve member into engagement with said seat and for further moving said sleeve by said valve member, said sleeve and body providing pneumatic means for resiliently opposing the movement of said valve member and said sleeve beyond said position of engagement between said valve member and seat, said valve member moving means comprising a cam and follower mechanism associated with said body with the follower of said mechanism being opera tively associated with said valve member.

6. A fluid pressure control valve comprising a valve body having a chamber formed interiorly thereof, said chamber having ports adapted for connecting said chamber to a fluid pressure device, a cylindrical sleeve disposed in said chamber, said sleeve being slidably disposed for movement in said chamber transversely with respect to one of said ports, said sleeve being provided with an opening formed therein for providing communication between the interior of said sleeve and said one port, said sleeve being formed to provide an annular seat interiorly of said sleeve between said opening and the other of said ports, a valve member disposed within said sleeve for engagement with said seat, said valve member being slidably mounted within said sleeve for transverse movement therein with respect to said opening, said sleeve and said body also being formed to provide pneumatic means, said pneumatic means providing a compression chamber for resiliently opposing the movement of said sleeve by said valve member in response to the engagement of said seat by said valve member, and means for moving said valve member into engagement with said seat and for further moving said sleeve by said valve member against said pneumatic means, said last means comprising a cam and follower mechanism associated with said body with the follower of said mechanism being operatively associated with said valve member.

LAWRENCE H. GARDNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

